Vision Loss Risk Is Greater Than Breast, Prostate Cancer Risk

Adults are more likely to lose their vision than be diagnosed with cancer. For adults aged 65 and over, the odds of losing vision are one in three, whereas the odds of a man developing prostate cancer are one in six and odds of a woman developing breast cancer are one in nine. Vision loss threatens the overall health of aging adults by increasing the risk of injuries, depression, and inability to complete daily tasks.

Vision loss in adults is often attributed to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a breakdown of the macula that destroys sharp, central vision. Damage to the macula causes blurriness and distortion of vision, which can affect the ability to see fine details clearly. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in American adults and affects millions of aging adults worldwide.

Though there is currently no cure for AMD, sufferers and aging adults can prevent the development or progression of the disease with proper nutrition. A study conducted at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital of Birmingham, Ala., revealed that AMD sufferers taking a specific eye vitamin supplement, Macular Health, showed both short-term and long-term improvement in visual acuity by 16% and 17%. Researchers attribute the improvement to Macular Health's specific dosage of lutein, zeaxanthin, and bilberry, and the administration of specific carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals.

— Source: Macular Health